My Town

Letter to the Lamorinda Sun

Lamorinda Sun

Posted:
11/08/2012 02:35:55 PM PST

Updated:
11/08/2012 02:35:55 PM PST

Poor place for affordable housing

On Oct. 7, we had the second traffic death in recent memory on Pleasant Hill Road. The stretch of road between Springhill Elementary School and Acalanes High School -- near the confluence of Walnut Creek, Lafayette and Pleasant Hill -- is often congested and now has become deadly. When not congested it is a high speed alternative to Interstate 680.

Now the City Council wants to put 315 units of affordable housing on this stretch of Pleasant Hill Road, at Deer Hill Road). Townhouses are already being built on the South side of Highway 24; an impact report is unnecessary to realize the added traffic will make Pleasant Hill Road worse and more dangerous for children who use it daily to and from Springhill and Acalanes.

Think also about the new residents. Residents of affordable housing would benefit from access to public transportation and shopping. The Deer Hill Road site is isolated, two miles from BART and shops. A more attractive location is close to BART and walking distance to shopping along Mt Diablo Boulevard.

There are usable lots across from BART on Deer Hill. With better planning we can reduce traffic, fatalities, and live with less environmental impact.